In the cold we give cows rougher hay. That way their digestive systems take a bit longer to break down the hay generating a bit more energy as heat in their bellies.
All the pigs eat hay too as part of their diet but they chew it better before swallowing. Cows have a longer more sophisticated system of digestion in the multiple chambers of their stomach. Hay and grass is 100% of a cows diet whereas hay and grass are only a part of a hogs diet. Hogs only have one stomach.
But food is part of the cows heating system. On snowy days or deeply frosty mornings we look for a line of gathered snow or frost on the backs of the cows. Believe it or not this is good. This shows that they are not losing heat. That their internal heating units are working well. Their hide might be cold but their insides are a toasty warm compost heap.
The day before yesterday I turned the pond pump off for its cleaning and forgot to turn it back on which was stupid. So overnight the pipes and the pond froze over – except for the hole in the ice above the heater. (Thank goodness).
The ducks took their baths in a water bowl.
And I had to thaw out the pump and the lines and get it all going again.
Working with water when it is that cold was painful for my fingers as the gloves got wet! 🤣.
In the end I got everything cleaned out and pumping water again. And our TKG TAKE TEN this evening is of the ducks back in their pond again.
The first thing I do in the morning as I go out to chores is check the pond pump and the heater. I can sometimes see moving fish in there so I know they are still alive. As I have said before – so far so good.
Plus by the time I leave (on Sunday) we are back up to 50f again (10c) which will be a reprieve.
I hope you have a lovely day!
Take care and Talk soon.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
13 responses to “Cows and Fish in the cold”
Ducks seem to do amazingly well in the winter! We have Muscovys, and they are very prolific in spring and summer. Crazily enough, we have a mama sitting on eggs now! We’ve never had them lay and hatch eggs in the winter! So we shall see…..
Oh no! What is she thinking! I am not even sure what sex these all are – except for Quacker. Ducklings would be impressive.
Please keep us posted here 🙂
I will Deb! 🙂
I just love these small lessons in how the animals function and why. That might be another idea for small books down the line…all the things about the ways in which healthy animals behave and why! I love seeing all the ducks, but those two white ones are gorgeous. I’m so glad to see ducks back on the farm.
We are warming here again as well with rain on the way by the weekend. I should not complain though- we haven’t dipped below 30F…yet.
I was thinking the same. In the Tiny Farm book.
I love that we think alike on this one!
It looks like the ducks enjoyed the adventure!
Farming is a real science. We are having wild swings in temperatures….a 16 degree span the other day! As always thank you, I always learn something when I visit your blog.
those temperature swings are hard to adjust to. And this cold came on fast. I hope it levels out a little warmer while I am away.
I had no idea about the cows!
today’s post was a challenge for you! Thawing out the water for the ducks!! But your hands Celi ~ so worried for you. The ducks looked happy!! Where’s my doggies ~ miss them!! Wishing you a good trip back home Celi ~ hope all goes well n enjoy your Family 😊
Luv ya Celi 🥰 🥰🥰
A cow thatched with snow has a belly filled with hay… Skinny cows are not well insulated. It’s true. Look out for chillblains and frostbite, Miss C, so painful, and the chillblains come back every year.